Digit disc



NOV. 8, 1966 c SCQTT D IGIT DISC Filed Oct. 19, 1964 j 1 T 00 Du o a: /,1 U 2 /o 0 7 a a 00\ OD\ O 6 I F v v00 5 z Z M AY Z United States Patent 3,283,888 DIGIT DISC Charles Scott, 2144-A W. Juno Ave, Anaheim, Calif. Filed Oct. 19, 1964, Ser. No. 494,819 1 Claim. ((31. 20656) This invention is directed to digit discs particularly adapted for the attachment to human digits.

In the handling of paper each person has difficulty when his finger tips dry off, for in that state they do not provide sufiicient coefficient of friction with respect to the paper to be able to properly manipulate the paper. This is particularly true in the case of bank tellers, printers and the like who handle great quantities of paper and want to handle it on an individual sheet basis. It is necessary to provide sufficient coefficient of friction between the finger tip and the top sheet of paper to properly handle the paper on an individual sheet basis. In the past such increase in coefiicient of friction has been accomplished by a moistening of the finger tip However, on a long term basis, such as several hours or an entire day, such moistening of the finger tips becomes ditlicult and is a time wa'ting, unnecessary step.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a digit disc which is particuiarly adapted to be attached to the finger tip of a person so as to remain with the fingertip and thus provide an effective increased coefiicient friction for the person.

It is another object of this invention to provide a digit disc which is made of a suitable material having high coefficient of friction with respect to paper and which is readily attached to the finger of a person by means of adhesive.

It is another object of this invention to provide a digit disc made of foamed resilient material which has a high coeflicient of friction with respect to paper and which is provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive to permit attachment of the digit disc to a finger tip of a person.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following portion of the specification, the claim and the attached drawings in which:

IG. 1 is an isometric view of a release sheet showing a plurality of the digit discs of this invention attached thereto;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a plurality of digit discs mounted upon a release sheet; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

As an aid to understanding this invention it can be stated in essentially summary form that it is directed to a digit disc which is preferably made of foamed, resilient material having a high coefficient of friction with respect to paper. This foam material may be of foam rubber nature or may be of foam polymer composition material having rubber-like characteristics. The digit discs are each provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer on the side opposite from which paper engagement is intended. This pressure sensitive adhesive is protected by mounting the digit discs with their pressure sensitive adhesive side on a release sheet. The release sheet may be provided for each individual digit disc, or a plurality of them may be mounted on a single release sheet. Of course, the digit discs may be provided in varying sizes and shapes to particularly suit the tastes of the users, and the sizes of their finger tips.

This invention will be understood in greater detail by reference to the following portion of the specification wherein the drawings are prescribed. Referring now to FIG. I, a plurality of digit discs are shown therein. The digit discs 19 are arranged upon a sheet of release 3,283,838 Patented Nov. 8, 19536 "ice material 12 in such a manner as to be readily individually available for removal from the release sheet 12. Digit discs 10 may be of different sizes and different shapes upon a single release sheet 12, as is shown in FIG. 1, or if desired, may be of a single size and shape on a single release sheet with a plurality of separate release sheets provided carrying digit discs 10 in different sizes and shapes. In the case of FIG. 1 digit disc 14 is circular in cross section so that it resembles a short cylinder when situated on the release sheet 12. The digit discs in the row with digit disc 14 are of decreasing size and terminate in digit disc 16 which is also circular and is of the smallest size. The nearest row to digit discs 10, t e row containing digit discs 18 and 24 is identical to the first described row in that it is of cylindrical digit discs of varying sizes.

Along the center of the release sheet 12 is a row of dig t discs containing digit discs 20 and 22. The digit discs 20 and 22, and the remainder in that row, are of oval configuration and are in varying sizes. It is the di it disc 24, however, which is shown in more detail in the following figures, but it is understood that each of the digit discs in the group of digit discs 10 is of identical nature, except for its cross sectional size and/or configuration. In each case, however, the cross sectional size and configuration of the digit discs 10 is such that they are each suitable for application to a finger tip for the above described purpose.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the digit disc 24 is shown as mounted upon release sheet 12. Release sheet 12 is of conventional nature and has a coating on its top surface 26 suitable for the protection and release of pressure sensitive adhesives. The digit disc 24 comprises a main body 28 which is preferably of a material having a relatively high coefiicient of friction with respect to paper. Such materials are well known, and the first in the class comprises rubber. However, in order to maintain the body 28 of suflicient flexibility for use, and to enhance its frictional characteristics, the body 28 is preferably foamed. Therefore, the body 28 is made of foam rubber or a foamed polymer composition material such as polyurethane foam, where the particular polyurethane is of suitable flexible nature. The top surface 30 of body 28 is the surface which is active with respect to paper. It is preferably cut so that open foam cells are seen to maintain the relatively high friction coefiicient. The bottom surface 32 of body 28 is coated with conventional pressure sensitive adhesive 34 which is in turn laid against the coated surface 26'of release sheet 12. If desired, each disc 10 can be positioned on an individual release sheet.

In use, the finger to which the digit disc is to be applied is first wiped relatively free of natural skin oil. Thereupon one of the digit discs of the group indicated at 10 is removed by lifting it from the release sheet 12, and the adhesive 34 is then pressed against the finger tip. As many digit discs 10 are applied, one to each finger tip, as is desired. The body 28 of digit disc 24 is sufliciently flexible as to permit the disc to form to the configuration of the finger, and to move with the finger so that it firmly stays in place. The adhesive 34 is sufficiently strong to prevent the digit disc from coming loose through ordinary use. Since the digit disc 24 is relatively thin, it is far less cumbersome than previous devices and cannot be mislaid. Furthermore, it does not interfere with the normal use of the finger such as writing, smoking and holding of various articles and utensils. Its use eliminates the previous discomfort which came from wearing a tight fitting rubber finger cot. In other words, the digit disc 24 is always ready when it is applied to the finger and stays in place without discomfort and Without the difliculties encountered With finger moistening devices. The removal of the digit disc 24 is easily accomplished by simply stripping it off of the finger tip so that it leaves the finger tip unaffected at the end of the day.

This invention having described in its preferred embodiment, it is clear that it is susceptible to numerous modifications and changes without the exercise of the inventive faculty. Accordingly, this invention is defined by the scope of the following claim.

Iclaim:

A plurality of devices each being adapted for attachment to a human finger tip so as to provide improved coefiicient of friction with respect to paper, each of said devices having a body, said body having a top surface and a bottom surface, said body being comprised of flexible, rubber-like material in foamed condition, said body having a cross section generally parallel to said top surface, said cross section being of suitable configuration for placement on a human finger tip, said cross section of at least two of said devices being different from each other, said top surface having cut open foam cells so that its coefficient of friction with respect to paper is enhanced, said bottom surface being coated with pressure sensitive adhesive, said pressure sensitive adhesive of each of said plurality of devices being positioned against a single release sheet so that said pressure sensitive adhesive is protected against contamination until each device is removed from said release sheet for positioning upon a human finger tip, so that when said device is so positioned on a human finger tip, said device is semi-permanently secured to the finger tip and the finger tip effectively has enhanced coeificient of friction with respect to paper so that paper can be readily handled Without substantial finger encumberment.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,844,507 2/ 1932 Gifford 294-25 2,389,237 11/ 1945 Petrullo 294-25 3,063,555 11/1962 Hanington 20678 X 3,186,001 5/1965 Roeder 351138 FOREIGN PATENTS 547,946 9/ 1942 Great Britain.

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner.

G. F. ABRAHAM, Assistant Examiner. 

